Charles University students plan Nov. 10 protest to support Czech public media

Charles University students are organizing a Nov. 10 protest in support of Czech Television and Czech Radio, working with students from other universities across Czechia.

Rector Jiří Zima will grant a half-day break from teaching that day, the university announced Monday. Organizers expect to release details of the protest, participating institutions and activities Wednesday, Nov. 4.

The newly announced event is separate from actions taking place Tuesday, Nov. 3, when public broadcaster employees will stage a daylong strike and students will join marches and a rally in central Prague.

Students plan several Prague marches Tuesday that will converge on a public gathering at Wenceslas Square beginning at 4:36 p.m.

The timing echoes the parliamentary vote at 4:36 a.m. Oct. 24, when coalition lawmakers advanced legislation to abolish compulsory television and radio fees and replace them with state-budget funding.

Charles University students will support Tuesday’s activities before organizing the following week’s protest, according to Rafael Daniel Berti, deputy chair of the university’s academic senate.

The Czech Rectors Conference has asked universities and teachers to accommodate participating students, where teaching requirements and study regulations allow.

Its leadership recommended offering alternative dates or ways to complete attendance-related obligations on Nov. 3 and Nov. 10. Faculty- or university-wide teaching breaks were suggested as another option for Nov. 10.

Charles University has asked faculties and teachers to take an accommodating approach Tuesday. Its confirmed half-day teaching break applies to Nov. 10.

The Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, AMU, has instead announced a teaching break for Nov. 3. It currently has no equivalent arrangement planned for the following week.

Czech Technical University Rector Michal Pěchouček has urged faculties and other university units to accommodate students wishing to participate.

At the Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, individual deans will determine arrangements. University representative Marek Šedivý said faculty leaders generally did not want to obstruct student activities.

The University of Chemistry and Technology Prague and UMPRUM have also pledged flexibility but will not declare university- or faculty-wide teaching breaks. Students should therefore follow the arrangements communicated by their own institutions.

The protests oppose legislation advanced through its first reading by the ANO, SPD and Motorists coalition. Critics say the proposed funding changes would weaken public media independence, while the government argues that guaranteed financing would provide greater stability.

Prime Minister Andrej Babiš outlined a possible revised model Saturday involving voluntary fees and guaranteed funding outside the state budget. He said the legislation would not take effect in January 2027. Details of that alternative remain unclear, and the bill is still under parliamentary consideration.